The Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) represents the pinnacle of smart display technology, featuring significant upgrades over its predecessor with enhanced performance, improved audio, and a premium edge-to-edge glass design. This smart display excels as a kitchen companion and smart home hub with exceptional Alexa integration.
The 8-inch HD touchscreen delivers crisp 1280 x 800 resolution with an edge-to-edge glass display that feels significantly more premium than previous generations. The modern design trims the rear hump, allowing the gorgeous display to take center stage. The interface is intuitive and responsive, packed with helpful icons, information, and photos that make daily interaction delightful.
The centered 13MP camera at the top represents a substantial upgrade, providing more natural video calling experiences with digital pan-and-zoom capabilities. The wide field of view ensures everyone stays in frame, while the built-in camera cover offers privacy when needed. While not the crispest by today's standards, it's perfectly adequate for video calls and home monitoring.
Dual two-inch tweeters replace the previous generation's one-inch drivers, delivering dramatically improved clarity and bass response. The spatial audio feature creates an immersive listening experience that rivals dedicated speakers. Whether playing music, podcasts, or providing Alexa responses, the audio quality is exceptional for a smart display.
The octa-core SoC with Amazon's AZ2 Neural Network Engine provides 40% more processing power, making the device remarkably snappy when responding to commands. Navigation through menus, launching apps, and executing smart home controls feels instantaneous compared to previous generations.
Built-in support for Zigbee, Thread, and Matter protocols makes this a powerful smart home hub that improves local smart home requests by 40%. The comprehensive compatibility ensures seamless integration with virtually any smart home device, from lights to locks to thermostats.
Access to over 420 live and ad-supported video channels through Fire TV Channels integration, plus Amazon Prime Video and popular streaming services. The adaptive content feature intelligently adjusts what's displayed based on your proximity, showing more detailed information when you're nearby.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 8-inch HD touchscreen, 1280 x 800 resolution |
| Camera | 13MP with digital pan-and-zoom, privacy cover |
| Audio | Dual 2-inch tweeters with spatial audio |
| Processor | Octa-core SoC with AZ2 Neural Network Engine |
| Smart Home Hub | Zigbee, Thread, Matter support built-in |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth |
| Voice Assistant | Alexa built-in with far-field voice recognition |
| Streaming | Prime Video, Netflix, Fire TV Channels (420+) |
| Design | Edge-to-edge glass, reduced rear profile |
| Privacy | Physical camera cover, microphone mute button |
The Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) justifies its premium positioning through meaningful upgrades across every aspect of the user experience. The combination of enhanced processing power, superior audio quality, built-in smart home hub capabilities, and premium design makes this the best 8-inch smart display available. While the higher price may deter budget-conscious buyers, the substantial improvements over previous generations and comprehensive feature set make it an excellent investment for serious smart home enthusiasts.